Reinsurance
‘Tidal wave’ of alternative capital to disrupt reinsurance market: Aon CEO
Reinsurance renewal rates were beaten down on 1 January by alternative capital markets, Aon Benfield’s CEO said, warning they are poised to be a major disrupter against traditional reinsurance in future.
Analysis: Lloyd's taking the Asian bull by the horns
Lloyd's and the London market are trying to win back their market shares in Asia, as the region is experiencing the world's most dynamic growth for the insurance industry.
Nat cats hammer Munich Re's full year results
Natural catastrophe losses saw Munich Re’s property-casualty reinsurance segment report a €476m (£422.7m) loss for 2017.
This month in Post: Renewals, rates and redundancies
The year started with an executive merry-go-round but this week proved that less senior people were also liable to redundancy, as it was revealed that a total of 480 jobs are at risk as a result of the LV/Allianz deal.
XL Catlin sees profits fall $1.4bn from nat cats
XL Catlin has reported a 58.7% increase in its loss in underwriting profit of across its property and casualty business during Q4 2017 compared to 58% in the same period during the previous year.
Marsh and McLennan see revenue up 6% at full year
Marsh and McLennan Companies has reported a 6% boost in full year revenue.
Investment by reinsurers into insurtech was highest in 2017
Reinsurers led the way in insurtech investment during Q4 2017, directly and through their corporate venture arms.
Cyber threat growing quicker than claims data: IUA
A rapid growth in cyber threats has posed a challenge to the industry in acquiring claims data, the International Underwriting Association has warned.
Editor's comment: An explosive start to the year
I started this year in style watching the fireworks over Sleeping Beauty’s castle at Disneyland Paris. Looking at January’s headlines the insurance industry has also started this year with a bang.
This week: Technology, treasury and trade credit
I'm not sure who was more excited about technology in our house this week, my son discovered that virtual pets in the form of Tamagotchi are making a comeback in the UK this year while I learnt a bar has opened where robots make you cocktails.
Aspen takes $245m underwriting loss in Q4
Aspen expects to post a $245m underwriting loss in the fourth quarter of 2017.
Carillion collapse to cost industry £31m
Trade credit insurers expect to pay £31m to help businesses recover following the collapse of construction giant Carillion, according to figures from the Association of British Insurers.
Analysis: Soft reinsurance renewals dash hard market hopes
After five consecutive years of falling rates, global property-catastrophe reinsurance experienced upward pricing pressure at 1 January renewals.
Axis establishes global analytics division
Global (re)insurer Axis has set-up a global underwriting and analytics division.
AIG to buy Validus for $5.56bn
AIG has unveiled plans to acquire Validus Holdings for $5.56bn.
Blockchain pilots will be weighed on their merits
There may be several Blockchain prototypes available for companies to choose from at present but there will be a "narrowing" in terms of successful models later on, a consultant said.
Axis faces $130m nat cat loss in fourth quarter
Axis Capital estimates it will take a $130m hit as a result of fourth quarter catastrophe and weather-related losses.
Global run-off market 'extremely buoyant' at $730bn in 2017
The value of the global non-life discontinued business market exceeds $700bn, according to research from PWC.
Single cyber attack could cost insurers more than Hurricane Katrina
Losses from a single cyber attack could see the industry fork out more than a major loss natural catastrophe like Hurricane Katrina.
Beach snapped up by Acrisure
Acrisure is to acquire the independent reinsurance broker Beach & Associates.
US Reinsurance outlook remains negative, says AM Best
AM Best is maintaining a negative outlook for the US property and casualty reinsurance sector due to continued pressure on property catastrophe rates.
Munich Re covers Easyjet for flight cancellation
Munich Re and Easyjet have teamed up on a flight cancellation insurance product.
Sequant Re goes into liquidation
Specialist Bermudian reinsurer and insurance-linked securities investment start-up Sequant Re Holdings, is to liquidate its business having struggled to raise sufficient capital.
Fresh capital to make reinsurance rate rise short-lived
New capital entering the reinsurance sector will wash away any relief gained from rate rises at January renewals, Aon Benfield has said.